If you are a patient in the Lewiston-Auburn area and hope to get a new health plan when the Affordable Care Act fully kicks in, there may be some bad news for you.

One health care provider said you have to travel pretty far to get care if you join the proposed health care exchange.

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Chuck Gill, a spokesman for Central Maine Healthcare, said the proposal is a competitive move that shuts out his company.

Gill said the agreement is between the insurance company Anthem and Maine Health, which runs Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Gill argues that patients will have to travel farther south for treatment.

"We're shocked to find out that some of the lowest cost, largest hospitals in southern Maine are not part of the network," said Gill.

He said the new insurance plan put forth by Anthem excludes his hospital and others.

Gill called it a back-room deal.

"What we're hearing, and we're hearing it from people inside of Maine Health, is this was contrived by Maine Health, created by the network and brought it to Anthem," said Gill.

Anthem's plan would fall under the Affordable Care Act, but Gill argued because some of the hospital groups are excluded, it would undermine the purpose of the ACA.

"Someone who needs radiation in Rumford, will have to travel to Scarborough for radiation, or if chemotherapy, you may have to travel to Lewiston," said Gill.

Documents obtained by WMTW News 8 from the bureau of insurance confirm Anthem is proposing a new plan that would comply with the Affordable Care Act.

The plan does exclude certain hospitals, about 30 percent in central and southern Maine.

However, further details of the plan fall under confidentiality laws.

The Bureau of Insurance said the proposal is in its infancy.

We contacted Maine Health and Anthem separately for comment.

Thursday afternoon they issued a joint statement to WMTW News 8.

"We are working to develop an innovative collaboration aimed at reducing health care costs and slowing the rate of premium increases. The insurance product currently under development and subject to regulatory review will enable consumers to have access to a select group of hospitals and providers in Maine.

"The collaboration's primary goal is to offer a product that complies with the requirements of the Affordable Care Act while at the same time presenting the most affordable plan possible. The collaboration will result in a unique network and product offering which would be available to customers in Maine's individual and small group insurance markets effective January 1, 2014, in conjunction with the implementation of the Public Health Exchange under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

"It is important to note that the product is in the initial filing stages and subject to regulatory review. We hope to share additional details on the program in the very near future."